October27, 2011

Mr. Speaker, during the Texas War of Independence, the enemy tried to remove a cannon from the town of Gonzales. The defiant Texans flew a flag which stated ìCome and Take it.î

Now, in Montana, an intolerant radical anti-religious group wants a statue of Jesus taken down from a mountain. The Forest Service is under pressure not to renew a lease for the 58-year-old statue. The statue is more than a religious symbol. It was erected as a memorial and a tribute to Montana freedom fighters during World War II for their bravery, dedication and patriotism.

Whatís next? Is the anti-religious crowd going to demand the government chisel off the crosses, the Stars of David, and other religious symbols on the tombstones of our war dead at Arlington Cemetery? The Constitution protects free speech and freedom of religion. As those early Texas settlers were successful in preventing the enemy from taking that cannon and the right to bear arms, I hope the people of Montana are successful in keeping the anti-religious bunch from taking the Jesus statue.